OBJECTIVE: to understand pediatric nurses' beliefs and actions regarding hospitalized children's autonomy during therapeutic procedures. METHODS: A qualitative approach was used to observe and interview seven nurses from a public hospital at São Paulo. RESULTS: Content analysis revealed two themes: a child's potential to develop autonomy and a child's incapability to exercise autonomy. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Few opportunities are given to children in order to develop their autonomy. As a rule, in conflicting situations nurses do not consider children decision-making; there is a disconnection between nurse's speech and professional practice.
Personal autonomy; Pediatric nursing; Child, hospitalized; Bioethics